Metal hand tool for boot making



Feb. 1., 1927. 1,616,040

w., H. GULLIVER METAL HAND TOOL FOR BOOT MAKING Fil ed Sept. 8, 1926 Even/far:

Patented Feb. 1, 1927.

UNITED STATES I A relate PATENT OFFICE...

WILLIAM HENRY GULLIVER, OF NAPIER, NEW ZEALAND.

METAL HAND TOOL FOR BOOT MAKING.

Application filed September 8, 1926, Serial No. 134,224, and in New Zealand August 6,1925.

This invention relates to a tool that has been designed for use by bootmaklers in removing the shoulders or strips of leather from soles for pump work or in splitting the leather for welted work.

It has hitherto been customary to perform these operations by a knife that is drawn round the sole edge to split it, or to split it and then cut off the corner to the depth of the split to form the shoulder. These operations are therefore difficult and take a deal of time, as the knife blade or point has to be controlled in its course and its depth of cut, and has no guide or stay, other than the hand, to help it.

The present invention provides a tool for performing these operations by the use of which they may be performed quickly and in the use of which no particular skill is required.

The said tool embodies a handle portion and a knife blade projecting from each end and also features of construction under which the knife blade of either end may be drawn around the leather edge to cut it on its surface at a distance from the edge, or to split its edge, according to the manner in which the handle is held in relation to the leather. The handle has combined withit means for gripping the knife blades thereto, which means permit of the amount left projecting from the end being adjusted to regulate the depth of cut. It also has means combined therein to guide the blade in its course round the leather edge and for keeping it at a regular distance from the edge or at a constant point in the leather thick ness, such guiding means being also capable of adjustment in the distance away from the blade to allow of the width and depth of the cut shoulder being varied.

The tool is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation,

Figure 2 an edge elevation, and

Figure 3 a sectional side elevation thereof.

In carrying out the invention, a metal frame plate A is provided, such plate being of the required width and of a length to be grasped in the closed hand and to leave its ends projecting. This plate is made thicker at its middle than at its two ends, the 1ncrease in thickness being on the back face, as shown clearly in Figures 2 and 3. Combined with this frame plate is a clamping plate 13 of the same width and length as the frame plate, and which is fastened to the front surface of the frame plate by means of the screws 0 passing through it, into the frame plate. The heads of these screws are countersunk into the surface of the clamping plate.

Also-combined with the frame plate is aguide and gauge plate D that is arranged along the back of the frame plate and is fastened to the thickened portion of such frame plate by means of'the rivets E. This guide and gauge plate is made of greater length than the frame plate so that it projects beyond each end thereof for a distance.

It is also made of a springy nature, as of spring steel, and each end is given a permanent set forwardly so that it inclines across the space formed bylthe lessened width of the frame plate and engages the extremity thereof, as shown more particularly in the left hand end of Figure 3.

A set screw F is provided for each end of the tool, such set screw passing in freely through the clamping plate B and screwing through the frame plate so that its inner end engages the guide and gauge plate. By screwing this set screw, at either end, in, the plate D at that end will be forced back to adjust its distance away from the rear surface of the frame plate. When the screw is turned out, the spring of the plate D will cause it to move forward to decrease such distance. Thus the distance of the plate end D from the rear of the frame plate, may be varied at will, to any distance within the limits provided for.

A narrow, thin, knife blade G having a pointed end, is provided for each edge of the handle formed by the plates A, B and D and such bladeis laid along between the frame plate A and the clamping plate B and held firmly with its point projecting beyond. the one end of the frame plate by tightening the screws C. The length of point thus left projecting may be varied at any time by merely loosening the screws and moving the knife blade to the desired position and then again tightening the screws. Likewise a knife blade may be removed for sharpening or for replacement by a fresh one at any time.

The shar point of the blade, at each end, thus exten 5 beyond the frame plate for a desired distance to; regulate the depth of cut to be made with the knife. It also occupies a position parallel with the projecting end of the guide and gauge plate D and at a distance thei ef-roin which may be varied by adjusting such plate end in the manner described.

Consequently either end of the toolinay be used to cut round the edge of the leather, as for instance, to split its edge at a distance fromits surface and for a regulated depth inward, by holding the tool in the plane of the leather and so that the knife point pierces such edge, and with the end of the guide and gauge plate engaging such surface; Then by moving the blade round, while maintaining the engagement of the guide and gauge plate with the surface, a split of uniform depth and at an even distance down the edge is cut. Likewise a scoring cut may be made in the surface of the" leather at a distance in from the edge by holding the tool in a plane at right angles to the leather plane and pressing the end of the plate D in against the edge While the knife point is pressed on the surface.

By the provision of the two blades, adjustment may be eltected to enable one end of the tool to cut the split and the other end to cut the surface and thus form the shoulder iequire'd in the edge of the leather.

I claviin-z 1. A bootinakers tool comprising a handle constructed to clamp a knife blade longitudinally in each edge so that a cutting point at its end projects beyond one end of the handle and a gauge and guide plate atiixed to the handle side to project beyond both ends thereof at a distance away from theprojectin knife blade point, substantially as specified.

2. In bootniakers tool formed as described in Glitllll 1, constructing and attacln ing the said gauge and guide plate so that its distance from the knife point may be varied, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof, I affix in-y sigi-iature.

WILLIAM HENRY GULLIVER. 

